Ash Grove Celebrates Completion of New Finish Mill at its Durkee Plant, to Expand Production Capacity in Oregon

Ash Grove’s Durkee Plant, Oregon’s only cement plant and one of the longest-standing operations in the region, today celebrated the completion of its new finish mill during a ribbon-cutting event attended by state and local government officials, customers and employees. The investment represents a significant enhancement to the company’s production capabilities, strengthening Ash Grove’s position as a leader in the industry.

The new finish mill was engineered to increase cement production capacity by 210,000 tons per year without a corresponding increase in clinker production or CO₂ emissions. The mill enables Durkee Plant to expand the use of limestone and natural pozzolans as clinker substitutes—allowing the plant to deliver additional volume while meaningfully reducing the carbon intensity of its cement.

Durkee recently purchased rights to a natural pozzolan source in Oregon, and product development is underway to further integrate these materials into future cement offerings. This step expands the plant’s ability to produce high-performance blended cements.

Located in Durkee, the plant has been a critical part of Oregon’s industrial landscape for more than four decades. Production began in 1979 and expanded in 1998. Today, the plant has the capacity to produce more than one million tons of clinker annually, employs over 130 team members, and supports approximately 600 additional local jobs through transportation, services, and regional supply chains.

The ribbon-cutting marks the beginning of full operation of the new mill, with benefits expected to be realized across the region’s construction, infrastructure, and industrial markets.